BELARUS INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS REMAIN UNDER PRESSURE: A

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SUBJECT: BELARUS INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS REMAIN UNDER PRESSURE: A
FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT

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1. Summary. In the run up to the 2006 Presidential elections,
the GOB banned independent newspapers that covered politics from
having access to the state monopoly kiosk network and the postal
service's subscription system. In 2008 and 2009, in an apparent
response to western sanctions, a handful of national and
regional papers regained access; but nevertheless as late as
January 2010, three nationals and eight regional publications
continued to have problems. Authorities, at the same time, have
demonstrated a willingness to use an assortment of the tools
available to them in ongoing efforts to keep independent voices
from reaching the public. Cited by authorities for criticizing
the government, a regional independent newspaper editor has
provided us with details on the obstacles he faced over the past
year while struggling to keep his paper in business, including
curbs on circulation, controls on printing services, denial of
accreditation, tax investigations, and even difficulties for
family members. His first-hand account provides insight into
methods used against regime critics in Belarus and reveals how a
pattern of pressure continues to restrict press freedoms. End
Summary.


2. Prior to the March 2006 presidential elections, the GOB, as
of January 1, 2006, banned national and regional independent
newspapers that covered politics from having access to the state
monopoly kiosk network and the postal service's subscription
system. As late as 2008, the 15 core independent newspapers,
five national and ten regional, continued to face circulation
restrictions. In an apparent response to western sanctions, in
November 2008, independent national newspapers Narodnaya Volya
and Nasha Niva regained access to the two state monopoly
systems. Of the ten regional newspapers, one returned to the
distribution system in September 2009 and one went out of
business in 2009. In January 2010, the situation with the
remaining three national and eight regional publications was
still pending resolution.


3. In addition, authorities have applied a range of measures
against the editor and owner of an independent weekly newspaper,
illustrative of the wider pattern of pressure that restricts
press freedoms in Belarus. Anatoly Bukas, who edits an
established regional weekly, Borisovskie Novosti (BN),in the
city of Barysau, described for the Chargi challenges he faced
last year after a regional ideology officer ordered local
newsstands not to carry his paper. Told that BN had
"discredited the government," Bukas complained to police, who
refused to investigate the merits of charges against him. As a
result, BN was taken off the shelves of local shops as the
owners opted to avoid having problems with local authorities.


4. BN and other independents also face obstacles in accessing
newsmakers and official events. Journalists are credentialed on
a case-by-case basis, with independents routinely denied
accreditation for state functions. Contracting for printing
services is another pressure point. Bukas said a Minsk printing
house would only agree to a contract after the transaction had
been approved by officials in the Presidential Administration.
At a personal level, Bukas suspects his son's failure to receive
a university internship was payback for his own independent
journalism, and added that even his siblings keep their family
ties from authorities, fearing they could lose their jobs.


5. Authorities have also used regulatory and legal measures
against Bukas and his paper. When BN's trade license expired at
the end of October, Barysau regional officials refused an
extension, putting the paper in legal jeopardy and at financial
risk. Tax authorities, claiming violations of trade regulations
stemming back to 2008, are seeking $5,600 in arrears, and a
court ruled in December to freeze Bukas' bank accounts, and
ordered payment of the alleged tax arrears along with $250 in
court fees.


6. Comment: Bukas' description of challenges confronted over
the past year in keeping his paper in business is an insightful
first-hand account of the tool box of options available to
authorities for curbing independence by the press in Belarus.
Less clear from his account is what sort of accommodation
independents are required to make with the government in order
to ease pressures and operate more freely. On balance, while
several newspapers were returned to circulation, the authorities
continued efforts to stifle criticism of the regime through
limiting access to the market place and mechanisms described
above highlights that the GOB continues to fall short of
undertaking meaningful steps on press freedoms. It is unlikely
that prior to the April 25 local elections the harassment of

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independent newspapers will abate or greater access to
distribution networks will be granted. These newspapers remain
committed to providing their readers transparent coverage of
elections, including the campaigns of opposition candidates, and
the GOB is well aware of this fact. End Comment.SCANLAN